Half-ton Work Trucks: What You Need To Know

Working-Class Heroes

Supple leather, power-operated pedals, and 22-inch wheels are nice, but they aren't necessarily priorities for truck guys who need to do hard work on a budget. Besides, it can be very easy to start with a $25,000 truck, add a few goodies, and end up paying twice that. Where are the bargains these days? You may discover that shopping for a base-model half-ton is the way to go. These trucks can do the tough jobs around the work site, and if you forego the cushy interior and high-horsepower engine, may not cost an arm and a leg to buy.

Here's what you need to know about the half-ton base models on the market.

Some manufacturers offer a specific work-truck trim level of their half-tons--notably Chevrolet/GMC and Toyota--but base models from Ford, Dodge, and Nissan also can be considered the work truck of the line. And for those who may be thinking about buying a fleet of trucks (the minimum can range from one to five), we've included fleet-truck information where it applies. For fleet-truck buyers, all these trucks are available with multiple engine choices and several bed and cab options, and prices are most likely negotiable.

Please note that photos weren't available for all base models, so what you see is as close as we could get. When we could, we used the latest photographs.

General Motors refers to its work trucks as equipment group 1WT (following the same philosophy as LS, LT, and LTZ). The 2WD regular-cab standard-bed Silverado is coded CC10703; its sibling Sierra is coded TC10703--4WD is available. Once you look beyond the somewhat varied sheetmetal, the differences between the Silverado and Sierra are relatively minor. These trucks are so similar, in fact, that MSRP for the base work-truck models is identical, as is the equipment that comes on the base truck: a 195-horsepower, 4.3-liter V-6 (15/20 city/highway mpg) backed by a Hydra-Matic four-speed automatic, a tried-and-true combination that's been part of the GM pickup stable for quite some time.

Most exterior trim pieces are black, including the front bumper and end caps, grille surround, manual folding side mirrors, and door handles. The 6.5-foot-long pickup bed is a fleetside and is finished with a chrome bumper. Air-conditioning is optional on the regular cab. Daytime halogen running lights are standard, as are intermittent windshield wipers, 17-inch steel wheels, and a 17-inch spare--also steel, but cosmetically different--which is mounted under the frame below the bed.

The cabin will hold up to three people on the vinyl-covered bench. The center portion of the bench folds down and serves as a center armrest and storage area. There's no carpet here; the floor is protected by black rubberized vinyl. Air-conditioning is an option at this price point, but a tire-pressure-monitoring system, four-wheel ABS, dual airbags, tilt steering wheel, and two 12-volt power outlets are standard. It has power steering, AM/FM/CD stereo, cupholders, analog gauges, lighting in the cabin and the bed, and dual visors. There is one suspension choice: Solid Smooth Ride, coded Z83. Opting for the bare-bones Silverado/Sierra brings an MSRP of $20,350.

According to GM's fleet vehicle Web site, the 1WT Silverado and Sierra also are offered with the extended cab and crew cab. Moving up to an extended cab adds standard A/C and doubles the amount of seating room (it may be snug, but the rear seat is a 60/40 bench that seats three). The top 1WT--the Silverado/Sierra 1500 four-wheel-drive crew cab--starts at $33,180.

Fleet OptionsGeneral Motors offers most, if not all, of its trim levels and options for would-be fleet buyers. So it's no surprise that the other truck trim levels (LS, 1LS, LT, 1LT, XFE, and LTZ), the 4.8-liter V-8, both 5.3-liters, the 6.0- and 6.2-liter V-8s, and the six-speed automatic are available. Regular cabs are short or long beds, extended cabs come with short, regular, and long beds, and crew cab is short bed only. GM Fleet and Commercial also sells a line of accessories for these trucks, including bedliners, tonneaus, cargo-management systems, tool boxes, styling items, towing accessories, and more. There are several other half-ton offerings in the GM stable, including the Avalanche, Silverado/Sierra Hybrid, full-size vans, the Tahoe and Yukon, H2, Escalade, and TrailBlazer/Envoy, and police SUVs.

According to GM, most Chevrolet and GMC dealers across the country carry fleet vehicles. If you have no luck there, you can always try going to one of the GM dealers that specializes in commercial vehicles. To research the fleet offerings, visit www.gmfleet.com.

Even though ST is the base trim level for the half-ton Dodge, there are numerous options for this half-ton Ram. The ST comes with a choice of three cabs--regular, Quad, and crew--and three engines--3.7-liter V-6, 4.7-liter FlexFuel V-8, and 5.7-liter V-8. All the improvements that came to the half-ton for 2009 worked their way down to the base model, including the rear coil-spring suspension and improved fuel economy in the Hemi. The least-expensive truck in the least-expensive line is powered by the 215-horse V-6, backed by a four-speed automatic. The standard-length bed is six feet, four inches long and holds 57.5 cubic feet of cargo. The regular cab also is offered with the eight-foot-long bed. Four-wheel drive is not available with the V-6; for that, you have to move up to the 310-horse, 4.7-liter V-8.

Telltale signs you're looking at an ST include dark-gray front and rear bumpers (upgraded bumpers seen here), a noticeable lack of badges (you get the Ram's head, but not much else), dark-gray fascia, chrome grille surround with a black insert, halogen headlights, and black manually operated mirrors. A full-size spare mounted on a cosmetically different wheel is stowed under the bed.

Inside, you'll find crank-up windows and manual door locks--the regular cab ST is the only half-ton Ram with them--heavy-duty vinyl floor covering, a 12-volt power outlet, six-speaker AM/FM/MP3-friendly CD stereo, and a 40/20/40-split vinyl bench seat. Air-conditioning, cigarette lighter, and ashtray are included. The steering wheel is urethane, and there's a tilt column. Tire-pressure monitoring comes with the ST, plus power steering, intermittent wipers, dual front and side-curtain airbags, and ESP. Add it all up, and this truck would run $22,170.

Options include a bedliner, cloth seats with folding armrest/console, carpet, floor mats, Sirius satellite radio, engine-block heater, tow hooks, larger tires, hitch, and power windows. There's also an ST popular equipment group with power windows, locks, and power heated mirrors. The 32-gallon fuel tank comes with the regular-cab long bed. If you chose a topped-out ST, before tacking on additional options, the Quad Cab 4WD would cost $30,635.

Fleet OptionsAs is the case with General Motors, if Dodge has a pickup truck, it's available as a fleet purchase. This includes the SLT, Sport, TRX, and Laramie trim levels and all engine/transmission combinations seen in the Dodge half-ton lineup. Crew cab models only get the 5.5-foot bed (RamBox bedrail storage is available) and Quad Cab Rams come with the standard length bed--if you want the 8.0-foot bed, your only option is the regular cab.

Fleet buyers can get vinyl floor covering on the SLT model and a floor shifter is available. As with the rest of the half-ton Ram line, a 730-amp battery and heavy-duty shocks are standard. Interested buyers can get DRLs, skidplates, and UConnect. Dodge will also equip trucks with racks, storage solutions, toolboxes, and ladders, and can do custom paintwork. Interested in something other than a Ram? Chrysler Fleet Operations also sells the Sprinter and the Grand Caravan Cargo Van, plus the Grand Cherokee, Journey, Aspen, and Durango. Visit www.fleet.chrysler.com for more details.

The XL trim level isn't specifically called a work-truck model, but it is understood to be the worker of the line and represents 20 percent of overall F-150 sales. The F-150 is all-new for 2009, but the XL (base price $21,790) remains the entry-level workhorse of the bunch. It comes on regular cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew F-150s, with a 6.5-foot styleside or flareside box or 8.0-foot styleside behind the regular cab, a 6.5-foot box behind the SuperCab, or a 5.5- or 6.5-foot bed with the SuperCrew. The base engine is the 4.6-liter, 248-horse V-8, with a four-speed automatic. The 292-horse, three-valve, 4.6-liter V-8 and 320-horse, three-valve, 5.4-liter V-8 are available with long-wheelbase XL-equipped trucks, but they cost at least $895 and $1525 (respectively) above the $22,090 base MSRP.

Front and rear bumpers are black, as are the manual side mirrors. The three-bar grille and surround are black, too. The XLs ride on 17-inch gray-steel wheels with 235/70R17 tires. There is minimal badging on this trim level. The 17-inch spare is mounted under the bed. For the regular-cab XL, exterior options include side steps for the truck bed ($325), a tailgate step ($350), bed extender ($195), cargo-management packages, and upgraded 17-inch wheels and tires. Those who tow will appreciate manual telescoping side mirrors ($140), an integrated trailer brake controller ($230), and a choice of trailering and heavy-duty payload packages that can increase the XL's capacity to 3030 pounds of payload and 11,300 pounds of trailer.

Opt for the base F-150, and you and both of your passengers enjoy vinyl 40/20/40 bench seating. Adding the $115 Decor package replaces the vinyl with cloth and upgrades the black front and rear bumpers to chrome units. Air-conditioning is standard, but you'll crank up the windows and lock the doors yourself, which allows you to track a fleet of vehicles and adds mobile office versatility. Cabin options include an AM/FM/CD stereo with aux input, cruise control, satellite radio, and Ford Work Solutions. The highest base price in the XL line is on the 4WD SuperCrew with the three-valve 4.6-liter--that's $34,810.

Fleet OptionsThe F-150 XL has been the best-seller in the world of light-duty pickups, with 40-percent market share in 2008. That's no surprise, considering the 2WD regular cab offers best-in-class standard payload (1690 pounds), max payload (3030 pounds), GVWR (8200 pounds), and towing capacity (11,300 pounds) when compared with similarly equipped competitors. Want something fancier than the XL? The rest of the line--STX, FX4, SLT, Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum--can also be ordered from Ford Fleet.

One special fleet option is the MidBox. Picture a long-wheelbase regular-cab chassis with a short bed, and a lockable toolbox and storage area taking up the space between the back of the cab and the short bed. It looks essentially like a basic long-bed truck with an extra handle on each side. A snow-plow option also is offered. For those looking to outfit fleet trucks with toolboxes, racks, and stake beds, Ford works with several upfitters that can provide the right combination for a buyer's needs. In addition to the F-150, fleet sales include the E-Series van, Expedition and Navigator, Explorer, and Explorer Sport Trac. Ford's fleet information can be found at www.fleet.ford.com.

Since its introduction in 2003 as a 2004 model, Nissan has expanded a bit on the Titan's single engine, transmission, and wheelbase. The company offers King Cab and Crew Cab body styles, both of which are available with short or long wheelbases, 2WD or 4WD, and two bed lengths (6.5- or eight-foot for King Cab, 5.5- or seven-foot for Crew). The King Cab boasts rear doors that open 168 degrees, creating easy access to equipment stored there or plenty of room for passengers to get in and out of the cabin. Yes, those shopping for a Titan still only have the choice of the 317-horsepower, 5.6-liter V-8 and five-speed automatic transmission, and that powertrain in a 2WD short-wheelbase XE costs $26,930. That's the most expensive base-model half-ton on the market, but it offers the most power and interior volume for the money--and it's the only half-ton base model that isn't a regular cab.

Styling cues on the XE include a matte-black grille and body-color front bumper (new for 2009), rear-bumper step, 18-inch steel wheels, and manually operated black-side mirrors. Choosing the Popular Equipment Package ($950) for the base King Cab adds a sliding tinted rear window, tinted rear-side windows, front overhead console, chrome grille, cruise control, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The Max Utility Package ($1000 for 2WD, $750 for 4WD) includes a spray-in bedliner; tow package with receiver hitch, a shorter-axle ratio, seven-pin harness, trailer brake prewiring, heavy-duty battery, and front tow hooks; and traction package (2WD only). The long-wheelbase King Cab XE costs a mere $600 more than the short wheelbase, and with that comes the 18-inch-longer bed and 37-gallon fuel tank. Dual front airbags are standard on XEs and side airbags are optional; neither Vehicle Dynamic Control nor Brake Assist are available on the XE. Other optional equipment includes a bedliner, splash guards, underseat storage, bed extender, and floormats. However, the Utili-track bed channel system is not available on XEs, which might be reason enough to move up to the SE ($28,930).

A six-passenger cabin is standard, with two cloth-covered benches, 40/20/40 in front and 60/40 in the second row. Doors are trimmed in urethane, as is the steering wheel. King Cab XEs get air-conditioning, six-speaker AM/FM/MP3-compatible CD stereo, four cupholders, three 12-volt power points, crank-up windows, and a single sunvisor; moving to Crew ($2550) adds a rear center armrest, eight-speaker stereo, power windows with auto up/down, fourth power point, and power windows and doors. The highest base price for a Titan XE, the Crew Cab long-wheelbase 4WD, is $32,930.

Fleet OptionsAt this time, Nissan has no specific centralized fleet program for the Titan. That all may change, if the Chrysler/Nissan partnership creates the next-generation Titan on the Ram platform. With a quick search online, we found some individual dealerships who do sell fleet Nissans. We contacted Trophy Nissan in Mesquite, Texas, which confirmed that Nissan doesn't offer a companywide fleet program, but individual dealers do. Some dealerships will lease or sell fleet trucks with no minimum number required, and often work with a local upfitter for any tool box, rack, or other custom storage needs.

Toyota recently made two big announcements regarding the 2010 Tundra: First was the new Work Truck Package and second was that the 4.7-liter V-8 will be replaced by a 4.6-liter. The package, said to cost $550-$655 less than the standard MSRP (for 2009, the base Tundra MSRP was $23,235), is available in 2WD and 4WD, with regular or Double Cab trucks, with either the standard 6.6-foot bed or the long eight-foot bed.

As is the case with all 2010 Tundras, there are three engines, including the base 236-horsepower, 4.0-liter V-6 and the 381-horsepower, 5.7-liter V-8. The newest addition is a 4.6-liter V-8 putting out 310 horsepower and 327 pound-feet of torque. It's a smaller-displacement engine than the one it replaces, but puts out 34 more horses and 14 pound-feet more torque, and fuel economy is estimated to improve to 15/20 mpg from 14/17 (2WD Tundras). And, unlike the 4.7, the 4.6 will be backed by the same six-speed automatic as the 5.7. (The V-6 uses a five-speed automatic.)

As is the case for most truck makers' work trucks, Toyota's Work Truck Package allows buyers to pay less for a half-ton by losing styling and luxury items, but they can still get plenty of capability for the money. The Tundra receives black bumpers and grille surround in place of the chrome units seen elsewhere in the line, and manual black side mirrors replace power mirrors. Inside, the bench seat is covered in vinyl and the floors are coated with rubber. Instead of the regular silver center stack and instrument panel, work trucks use a black stack, and there are warning lights in place of gauges for oil pressure and voltage. The light in the glovebox plus the map and courtesy door lights have been removed. Cruise control and keyless entry are optional. If you stick with the base 4.0-liter V-6, four-wheel drive isn't available.

As of press time, we still did not know specific pricing, but based on 2009 MSRPs, the least expensive Tundra is a 2WD short-bed regular cab with the V-6 ($23,285), and there's no reason that would change for 2010. However, unlike the other manufacturers who offer work trucks, Toyota's version is a package that will be available on every truck in the line. This means the top-level Work Truck's MSRP could climb above $30,000, depending on how Toyota equips it when paired with the 5.7-liter V-8.

Fleet OptionsToyota's Commercial Fleet & Small Business program includes all the vehicles in Toyota's line, including all SUVs and pickups. For the Tundra, this includes the Tundra Grade, SR5, Limited and, as of spring 2009, the Work Truck Package. Depending on trim levels, the cold-weather package and TRD off-road package also are options. The V-6 and both V-8s are available, plus both cabs and 2WD or 4WD. Toyota works with aftermarket companies for its fleet trucks. Weather Guard can provide truck boxes and racks; Adrian Steel has tool boxes and runner racks; Tommy Gate makes hydraulic liftgates that replace the tailgate; and there are application-specific ARE truck caps. People interested in buying fleet can also consider the Land Cruiser, Sequoia, FJ Cruiser, 4Runner, and Highlander (and hybrid). Go to www.toyota.com/businessfleet for more.

Sweating the Small StuffIt isn't only full-size trucks that are doing the work. Plenty of people don't need to tow a full-size trailer but still want the ability to carry dirt bikes or cargo in a truck bed. Here's an overview of the base-model compact/midsize trucks that are out there.